Simple Ham Radio Antennas

Here's part II of James Dann's tutorial on standing waves and harmonics. Dann explains the derivation of the harmonic frquencies on a string attached at both ends. He shows by experiment how the appropriate formulas are created. A well-presented and thoroughly understandable physics lesson. As mentioned earlier, this video could be used in a high school physics class or in an Amateur Radio Technician Class program. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated frequently. You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. You can also visit my news site at http://kh6jrm.net. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

A basic knowledge of standing waves and their harmonics is key to understanding antenna theory. Instructor James Dann presents the basic facts of standing waves in this outstanding, easily digestible video using the simplest of tools. This video could be used in a high school physics class or in a presentation to people preparing for the Amateur Radio Technician Class License exam. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily. You can follow our blog community with a free e-mail subscription or by tapping into the blog RSS feed. You can get more Amateur Radio news from my news site: http://kh6jrm.net. Thanks for joining us today! Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

If you have difficulty viewing this video, please enter this URL into your browser--https://youtu.be/pi8ysNBDDBg. Here's an example of a simple, no-frills vertical antenna that will provide hours of fun at your ham station. This antenna design from N0ECK and the folks at resistance hams can be assembled from materials you may already have in your shack or garage. You can also find these materials at your local hardware store or building supply outlet. The steel shed serves as a ground plane. I've built a few mono-band antennas using the same principal. Currently, I have a 20 meter vertical attached to my garage with the ground wire attached to the metal roof using a stainless steel bolt and screw assembly. The antenna works quite well for a vertical. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebar. These news feeds are updated daily. You can find more Amateur Radio news on my two news sites--http://kh6jrm.net and http://www.myalltop.com/

A comprehensive review by Rob Wagner (VK3BVW) of the 40 meter Double Bazooka Antenna made by IAC Antennas (http://www.iacantennas.com). Rob's video explains the theory behind the bazooka antenna and how it can be erected safely. The 40 meter version of the antenna is 51 meters long (167.28 feet) and is made from RG-58 coaxial cable and 300 ohm twin lead. The antenna is fairly immune to noise and offers some gain over a dipole antenna. There are two caveats concerning this antenna: The antenna is longer than a half-wavelength 40 meter dipole and is a bit heavier than its half-wave cousin. You will need two strong end supports for the antenna, since it tends to sag in the middle. You may also need another person to help you erect the antenna. My experience with the double bazooka antenna is limited to a 10 meter version I made as a general class operator back in the late 1970s. That antenna was homebrewed and performed very well. If you wish to build this type of antenna,

A clean, simple tutorial by Hiram Varquez on how to build a delta loop antenna and a Q-Match for it. According to Varquez, "The Q-Match will make the antenna resonant at 50 ohms at the feedpoint. This eliminates the need for an expensive balun." The delta loop antenna is bidirectional and exhibits some gain over a dipole. The loop is compact, easy to build, and inexpensive. Although Hiram's delta loop is designed for 20 meters, you can scale the loop for any amateur band between 160 and 10 meters, depending on the space available. If you want to use the delta loop for HF bands above 20 meters (12, 15, 17, and 10 meters), replace the coaxial cable and Q-Matching Section with 450 ohm ladder line and a balanced tuner. Delta Loops are excellent antennas for home or portable use. For the latest Amateur Radio news and events, please check out the blog sidebars. These news feeds are updated daily. You can find more Amateur Radio news at my two news sites: http://kh6